All public sector workers should be entitled to a neutrality allowance, according to the TUC

Naa Ayeley Ardayfio, the Trade Union Congress’s Spokesperson, has called for the so-called neutrality allowance to be extended to all members of the public sector.

According to her, the name of the allowance, which has been widely criticized, should not detract from the allowance’s substance and significance to the average public sector employee.

She stated that, similar to how other workers are compensated for risk, all public sector workers must be compensated for the opportunity cost of the work they do at their various stations.

“Because the reference was made of GBC that for example radiation allowance, and then I have worked in GBC before so I know about night and risk allowances,” she said on JoyNews’ PM Express. You have people working all night and moving into the studio at night to work while everyone else is sleeping.

“What would you give them if you didn’t give them night allowance, or if they were working with machines, or if they were working with transmitters, or if they were working with other things that we know have high levels of radiation?”

“So we’ll have to look at the specifics first, and then we’ll be able to assign whatever compensation there is.” I mean, we’ve all experienced situations where workers are taken for granted, and it gets to the point where you, as a regular employee, think to yourself, “no more of this.”

“You know, whatever name you give it, whatever name you give it, whatever name you give it, there are substances to these things, and that is what we need to look at.” If people have worked hard and deserve a chance or neutrality or whatever you want to call it, then let’s get to the heart of the matter and stop naming people,” she said.

Meanwhile, the government has agreed to begin paying the Neutrality Allowance by the fourth quarter of 2022, following a meeting with the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG).

This comes after CLOGSAG members went on strike to protest the government’s failure to pay the allowance starting in February 2022, as promised.

The government, on the other hand, has expressed its displeasure with the allowance’s name through Dr. Nana Ato Arthur, the Head of Loca Government Services.

“Forget about the terminology we called it,” Dr. Ato Arthur said, “because that terminology or nomenclature doesn’t sit well with us as government.” So let’s put together a team to figure out what it will be called. That allowance, however, will be given to you beginning in the fourth quarter of the year.”